MIXED MEDIA ANIMATIONS beginner's TUTORIAL - everything you need to know to get started in one day

Summary

In this video, Vet, a photographer turned mixed media animator, shares insights into her creative process, which has evolved from a hobby to a professional career over the past two years. She guides viewers through her two main methods for creating mixed media animations: the screenshot method and the export method. Vet emphasizes the importance of imperfection in her work and demonstrates how to prepare frames, scan them, and bring them together digitally. Aimed at beginners, this tutorial offers easy-to-follow steps for creating your own animations while embracing the freedom of artistic experimentation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mixed media animations can start as a hobby and eventually turn into a professional career, as seen in the creator's journey.
• 😀 There are two main methods for extracting frames from videos: the 'screenshot method' (taking screenshots manually) and the 'export method' (using video editing software to export individual frames).
• 😀 The 'screenshot method' involves playing and pausing the video to capture frames, which can create irregular, less smooth animations that fit the aesthetic of mixed media work.
• 😀 The 'export method' offers higher-quality, smoother animations and is recommended for more important projects, like commissions with specific client requirements.
• 😀 Mixed media animations offer a lot of creative freedom, with no strict rules for how to work; techniques like painting, collaging, or adding physical elements like glitter are all viable options.
• 😀 Scanning frames at different qualities (standard for social media, high quality for professional projects) allows for flexibility in terms of output quality and time efficiency.
• 😀 Having access to a personal printer and scanner can greatly increase productivity and creativity by allowing for constant access to printing and scanning without relying on external services.
• 😀 The creator suggests using simple programs like Keynote, Word, or Pages for printing and arranging frames, especially for beginners.
• 😀 Scanning at home is more cost-effective in the long run, and helps develop a more efficient workflow, especially when working with a large volume of frames.
• 😀 Creativity and experimentation are key when creating mixed media animations. There is no one 'correct' way to make them—what matters most is finding a process that works for you and is enjoyable.

Q & A

What inspired you to start creating mixed media animations?

I started creating mixed media animations as a hobby, something fun to do in my free time. Over time, it turned into a real job after I posted my animations on TikTok and gained attention from artists and music labels.

How did your mixed media animation journey evolve from a hobby to a profession?

After a few months of posting my animations on TikTok, I began to receive messages from artists and music labels. This exposure led to opportunities to work on commissions and collaborations, which helped turn my hobby into a professional career.

What are the two methods for converting a video into individual frames that you demonstrate?

The two methods are the 'screenshot method' and the 'export method.' The screenshot method involves manually pausing the video and taking screenshots of individual frames, while the export method involves using an editing program to export the video as individual frames automatically.

What are the pros and cons of using the screenshot method for extracting frames?

The pros of the screenshot method are its simplicity and the unique, irregular aesthetic it creates. The cons are that it can lack consistency in frame capture, which might be problematic for high-quality, smooth animations.

When should you use the export method instead of the screenshot method?

The export method is recommended for higher-quality projects where smooth movement and high-definition frames are essential, such as important commissions or professional work for clients. It is more time-consuming but yields better results.

How do you organize and prepare your frames for printing and scanning?

I organize my frames into folders, separating them into categories like screenshots or exported frames. I also create templates in software like Keynote to arrange frames on pages before printing, which helps in organizing the animation efficiently.

What are some of the materials and techniques you use in the analog part of your mixed media animations?

In the analog part of the process, I often use traditional materials like paint, stickers, glitter, and paper collages. These elements are added to the printed frames to create a unique, tactile look in my animations.

What do you recommend for beginners who don’t have access to high-end scanning and printing equipment?

For beginners, I recommend printing and scanning at a local print shop, especially if you're just starting out and unsure about investing in your own equipment. Once you're more experienced and committed to the process, it's better to invest in your own printer for convenience and cost-effectiveness.

How does having your own printer impact your workflow and creativity?

Having my own printer has allowed me to be more productive and creative. It’s cost-effective in the long run, and it gives me the flexibility to print and scan whenever I need, which is especially helpful since I travel often.

What is the final step in the mixed media animation process after scanning the frames?

Once the frames are scanned, I import them into my editing software (Final Cut Pro) and arrange them in sequence. I adjust the duration of each frame to create smooth movement or adjust the speed for specific effects. The final result is the completed animation.